Garry Weston of ABF dies at 74

GARRY Weston, who was chairman of Associated British Foods for 30 years, died today. Weston, who stepped down as a director of the company in December 2000, had fought against continuing ill health since suffering a stroke in September 1999. He was 74.

AB Foods makes Allinson and Kingsmill bread, Ryvita crispbread and Twinings teas. It also owns the British Sugar subsidiary that makes Silver Spoon, as well as operating the Primark discount clothing store chain. The Weston family owns a large stake in the group.

AB Foods' current chairman, Harry Bailey said: 'His record of success has been well documented such that by the time of his retirement ABF was recognised as one of the most solidly financed FTSE 100 companies.

'Garry Weston also created one of the largest charitable foundations in the UK. Through that medium he was, mostly anonymously, the benefactor of countless good causes, large and small, throughout the country.'